Study Further Demonstrates Pertussis Vaccine Safety

JUNE 11, 2018

A new study revealed no new or unexpected safety concerns associated with the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP). Data were analyzed between 1991 and 2016 from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).1 The first DTaP vaccine was approved by the FDA in 1991 and was recommended in place of the whole cell pertussis (DTwP) for the fourth and fifth doses of the recommended series. There were safety concerns associated with DTwP, which included febrile seizures, and acute encephalopathy.

Study Methods
The VAERS database was searched for reports after DTaP vaccination for any of the currently licensed vaccines.2 Non-United States reports, and duplicate reports were excluded from the study. Death reports after the DTaP vaccine were reviewed by a physician. The VAERS was searched for reports of anaphylaxis, and there was a clinical review conducted in a sample of 5% of non death serious reports after DTaP administration.2

Study Results
There were 50,157 reports involving DTaP in VAERS during the study period.2 Additionally, the DTaP vaccine was administered with 1 or more vaccines in 87.7% of reports. Among the vaccine reports, 11.2% were classified as serious, including 1.7% death reports. The most common cause of death was sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The most common reported adverse effects were injection site erythema (25.3%), fever (19.8%), injection site swelling (15%), erythema (11.2%), and injection site warmth (9.6%).2

Study Application to Clinical Practice
It is important to remember that VAERS cannot usually assess if a vaccine caused an adverse effect, but it is a useful tool for identifying possible safety issues. Pharmacists should report adverse effects associated with DTaP to VAERS. The study revealed that most adverse effects reported with the DTaP vaccine were not serious. Numerous studies have demonstrated that vaccines do not cause SIDS. Infants receive the DTaP vaccine series during the timeframe that SIDS most commonly occurs, so it is likely a coincidental finding.

Pharmacists can play an important role in educating parents on the importance of staying up-to-date on the DTaP vaccine serious for their children. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that infants and children receive a 5-dose series of DTaP at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.3 Pregnant women should receive the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination at 27-36 weeks (third trimester) of pregnancy to allow for the optimal transfer of protective antibodies from mothers to their babies.3 Additionally, the Tdap vaccine should be given to pregnant women during each pregnancy. Infants do not begin their own vaccine series against pertussis until approximately 2 months of age, so maternal vaccination is extremely important.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. Study analyzes the safety of DTaP vaccine as reported to national data system. . Accessed June 5, 2018.

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, received her PharmD degree from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Pharmacy in 2006 and completed a 2-year drug information residency. She served as a pharmacy professor at NSUâ€™s College of Pharmacy for 6 years, managed the drug information center, and conducted medication therapy management reviews. Dr. Gershman has published research on prescription drug abuse, regulatory issues, and drug information in various scholarly journals. Additionally, she received the Sheriffâ€™s Special Recognition Award for her collaboration with the Broward, Florida Sheriffâ€™s Office to prevent prescription drug abuse through a drug disposal program. She has also presented at pharmacist and physician continuing education programs on topics that include medication errors, prescription drug abuse, and legal and regulatory issues. Dr. Gershman can be followed on Twitter @jgershman2